Against the background of the Protestant Reformation and conflicts between England and Spain, this novel relates the rise of the House of Orange and the beginnings of Dutch nationalism. The factual history of the conflict is long and complex, but Holland tells an insightful, if small, slice of a much bigger picture, through the stories of one Dutch family. Holland brings the reader into the action, fighting alongside Jan & Hanneke against Alva and the Spaniards who seek to crush their revolution.
"Another solid Holland swirl of high-minded rebellion, derring-do, sex, and slaughter...Sturdy storytelling."
Kirkus Reviews
"[Holland's] historical personalities (William of Orange, the Duke of Alva, Queen Elizabeth) seem absolutely authentic...The author, who does a convincing job of evoking contemporary thought, emotion and customs, is at her best in the description of the action."
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)
"Holland packs her pages with action and historical detail. She remains in the front ranks of the genre along with Mary Stewart, Dorothy Dunnett, and the late Mary Renault."
